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    how much better is the firefly card?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by shocker3000, May 9, 2007.

  1. shocker3000

    shocker3000 Notebook Consultant

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    I think I have things narrowed down to these two T60s

    http://caipsgws001.can.ibm.com/store/addoptions?sku=8744H3F&tool=search&aud=EA1VISA

    or

    http://caipsgws001.can.ibm.com/store/addoptions?sku=8744J2U&tool=search&aud=EA1VISA

    Either way I will have 2 gigs of ram so that will add to the first option. So just curious how much better is the video card? Since I am essentially paying a few hundred extra for that and the processor. Or should I chance it and wait for the T61 to come to Canada?

    If that link change did not work here is the basics:
    option 1:
    Configuration Type: Notebook, PCI/PCI Express
    Installed Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Business
    Processor Type: Intel® Core 2 Duo T5500 1660MHz
    Memory: 1024MB
    Disc Capacity: 120GB
    Graphic subsystem: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory 128 MB
    9 cell battery
    Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
    DVD Recordable (Dual Layer) 24X Max
    price: 1450.00 CND

    option 2:
    configuration Type: Notebook, PCI/PCI Express
    Installed Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Business
    Processor Type: Intel® Core 2 Duo T7200 2000MHz
    Memory: 2048MB
    Disc Capacity: 100GB
    Graphic subsystem: ATI Mobility FireGL V5250 256 MB
    9 cell battery
    Bluetooth, Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
    DVD Recordable (Dual Layer) 24X Max
    Price: 1950.00 CND
     
    shocker3000, May 9, 2007
    #1
  2. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

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    Broken links. Check to see what should go in the ellipsis and relink.

    Or, just post the differences.
     
    vespoli, May 9, 2007
    #2
  3. shocker3000

    shocker3000 Notebook Consultant

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    Alright I edited the links, hopefully it works.
     
    shocker3000, May 9, 2007
    #3
  4. grommal

    grommal Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you're talking about the FireGL graphics, it's only better if you're using applications that rely on OpenGL to draw the screen. Examples are AutoCad and many other design packages, as well as a few games. For mainstream business applications, photo and video work, and games using DirectX, the FireGL will not be better than the X1400, just a lot more expensive.
     
    grommal, May 9, 2007
    #4
  5. KelchM

    KelchM Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm pretty sure you are totaly wrong there grommal.

    The FireGL is essentialy a X1700 with a different bios. It should perform significantly better in both opengl and directx than the x1400.
     
    KelchM, May 9, 2007
    #5
  6. shocker3000

    shocker3000 Notebook Consultant

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    Can anyone break this tie?
     
    shocker3000, May 9, 2007
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  7. mills

    mills Notebook Guru

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    Ok before my response, I gotta say, reading "firefly" made me chuckle.

    Pretty much what KelchM said is true. The only downside to the FireGL is the drivers may not be updated as often for games as their Radeon counter parts. For me, I see the hardware gains as better than software (driver) gains. Thus the choice would be the FireGL.

    Here's some reading for more info...

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FireGL
     
    mills, May 9, 2007
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  8. shocker3000

    shocker3000 Notebook Consultant

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    haha I dont know what I was thinking either. So if you want to use it for gaming the FireGL is not that big of an upgrade then huh?
     
    shocker3000, May 10, 2007
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  9. Hanson

    Hanson Notebook Guru

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    T61 Thinkpads are posted on the Lenovo Canada website now.
     
    Hanson, May 10, 2007
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  10. mills

    mills Notebook Guru

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    Actually, from a "horsepower" perspective, the FireGL V5250 is significantly more powerful than the X1400. The only thing going against the FireGL is the fact that driver development may not be necessarily tweaked or geared towards gaming. In most cases though, I don't think you'll have any problems, and rather notice the benefits more.

    I guess it boils down to what you need and what you can spend.
     
    mills, May 10, 2007
    #10
  11. shocker3000

    shocker3000 Notebook Consultant

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    hmm I might just suck it up and go with FireGL, and the better processor then. I went into this thing with a 2k budget, may as well use it :p Since the 2.0 processor over a 1.66 then the video card upgrade seems to substantially increase the power of the machine.
     
    shocker3000, May 10, 2007
    #11